it's up to you to be you.

Last week I went out to lunch with a couple friends, and we went to Mellow Mushroom for pizza, because I had been having mad cravings for pizza. While we were catching up, gossiping about the latest news on The Row, etc., we mentioned how pizza is the best leftover food. I remember in college, whenever I’d get a pizza craving, I’d walk over to Giovanni’s and get one slice to eat nice and hot, and one slice to put in the fridge and have for breakfast the next day. So yes, as we are discussing how we were not going to devour our pizzas right there, so that we could eat them for breakfast—or at least that was my plan, Bob was going to share the leftovers with his wife, and Amanda was good and ordered the salad + 1 slice combo—I immediately followed that up with “pizza…AND ice cream cake.” It’s true. I’m 25 and I still ask for ice cream cakes on my birthday. And I don’t plan on ever changing that tradition. I don’t even like celebrating my birthday, but I’ll take any excuse to have ice cream cake. And lately it’s become a tradition at our family gatherings to have at least one ice cream cake. So my favorite part is waking up the next morning and having a delectable slice of leftover ice cream cake. As we got ourselves excited over pizza and ice cream, I was like, “I’m going to go get ice cream cake so that I can have the ultimate breakfast tomorrow.” And when I say I’m going to do something, I do it. True to my word, before I went home I stopped at Baskin Robbins and picked up the smallest cake they had, and very giddily brought it home and put it in my freezer. It’s been freezing cold on this side of the country, and since I’m currently working from home and on a full-time study schedule, I usually start my day in bed with either some emails or a set of multiple questions—usually both. That next morning I got up without thinking twice about the bitter coldness cruelly penetrating my walls and windows. I cut myself a corner slice of Cookies n’ Cream Cake, and grabbed my pizza, and sat on my couch with the utmost satisfaction as I indulged in the ultimate breakfast. Oh yes I did. And I have no shame in it. Every other day I eat incredibly clean and healthy, because I value my body and my health. In fact, I’ve even dropped a few pounds this winter, and it wasn’t even one of my New Year’s Resolutions. Not that I made any, but…take that winter! So anyways, when I have moments like this, and I just want to indulge in something sinful like The Ultimate Breakfast, I have no guilt. I indulge, and I enjoy to the max. And then it’s back to the good stuff in my fridge and pantry, and…I may pull a double workout day. I workout like a boss, so don’t mess with me in the gym. Actually, you probably shouldn’t even talk to me. It’s important to value your body and your health, because it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. But treat yourself well without shackling yourself. Taking care of your body should make you feel good and happy, not like a jail sentence. And if every now and then you want to splurge on The Ultimate Breakfast, or a giant steak quesorito, or something like that, do. I think “splurge days” or “cheat days” only throw people off when they treat “clean eating” like it’s a restriction on everything not so clean. And then they get into this unhealthy mindset, which sometimes just makes you want it more. You know…you want what you can’t have. So, don’t tell yourself you can’t have something—just know when you can, and how to maintain your own balance. Or learn how to make a better substitute. I've been getting better at baking, and everything I bake is gluten-free and totally clean, only sweetened with agave. And I promise you, they actually taste really good. I'm saying that, because I'm not even a baker to begin with. I mean, I don't understand it, but my gluten-free breads come out way nicer, softer, and more moist than any store bought gluten-free bread. Anyways, take care of yourself, but don't tease your mind by trying to restrict and restrain yourself.You can have your cake and eat it, too…just not every day ;). BIG LOVE & HUGS Love, Justine